Who can resist a candy bar-inspired cocktail? Back in the day, my friend Jen would whip up chocolate martinis before we went out on the town. This creamy, dairy-free almond joy martini reminds me of those drinks, but with a nutty spin. It’s the perfect alcoholic sip for parties or simply unwinding with a friend.
Almond Joy Martini for a Deliciously Creamy Dairy-Free Drink
Many cocktails are rich in dairy. You might even be surprised to learn that some flavored syrups bartenders use contain dairy. But there are also several surprisingly dairy-free ingredients, and you can use them to make indulgent vegan cocktails.
Crème de liqueurs, like the white crème de cacao in this almond joy martini recipe, are typically dairy-free. I have no idea why they have “crème” in their names, but crème de liqueurs are sugar-sweetened alcoholic beverages that are clear and a touch syrupy. They shouldn’t contain a drop of dairy cream.
But don’t confuse “Crème de” liqueurs with “cream” liqueurs, which typically contain dairy. You can see my post on Dairy-Free Cream Liqueurs for some delicious vegan alternatives to traditional cream liqueurs.
Cream of coconut is another popular cocktail ingredient that is usually dairy-free. Unlike coconut cream, it’s sweetened, and usually has more stabilizers added. Coconut cream, is simply the thick “cream” that separates from full-fat coconut milk at cooler room temperatures or when it is refrigerated. It’s also naturally dairy-free.
Special Diet Notes: Dairy-Free Almond Joy Martini
By ingredients, this recipe is dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, gluten-free, grain-free, peanut-free, soy-free, vegan, and vegetarian.
- 1 ounce vodka
- 1 ounce amaretto
- 1 ounce white crème de cacao
- 1 ounce cream of coconut
- 1 ounce coconut cream or full-fat coconut milk
- Toasted shaved coconut, for garnish (optional)
- Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice. Add the vodka, amaretto, creme de cacao, cream of coconut, and coconut cream.
- Cover the cocktail shaker and shake well.
- Strain the drink into a cocktail glass, and garnish it with coconut, if desired.
Key Pantry Supplies: Dairy-Free Almond Joy Martini